The Vanishing Museum on the Rue Mistral - (Provençal Mystery) by M L Longworth (Paperback)

About the Book

"A Penguin mystery original"--Back cover.

Book Synopsis

A breezy, charming, and perfectly escapist mystery set in the heart of sun- and wine-soaked Aix-en-Provence--where murder investigations are always put on hold for lunch and the only thing more sweeping than the story is the Mediterranean coastline.

Provençal Mystery Series #9
Watch the series! Murder in Provence is now on Britbox.

Something strange has happened at the unassuming Musée de Quentin-Savary in Aix-en-Provence. When the director, Monsieur Achille Formentin, walks in one beautiful April morning, he is shocked to find the whole museum emptied of its contents--only a bench, the reception desk, and a lowly fern remain.

Distressed, he calls the local police, and Aix's examining magistrate Antoine Verlaque sets out to discover the thief's identity. But it's the most baffling case Verlaque has ever encountered. Why would someone want to steal porcelain dessert plates, some old documents, and a few small paintings? Could this have something to do with the mysterious robbery of Madame de Montbarbon's apartment a few weeks earlier? And how can Verlaque possibly concentrate on the theft when he and his wife, Marine Bonnet, are going to have a baby?

Review Quotes

"Sprightly . . . The charm here is the locale -- vaccinated readers will want to book their flights -- and enjoying the suave company of examining magistrate Antoine Verlaque and his wife, Marine Bonnet."
--The Washington Post

"Entertaining . . . Charming characters complement the tidy mystery plot. This is just the ticket for those seeking a much-needed vicarious vacation."
--Publishers Weekly

Praise for M. L. Longworth's Provençal Mystery Series

"Full of gourmet meals, silky wines, and sumptuous homes, these cozy mysteries transport you to the south of France . . . Perfect for the gourmands or Francophiles in your life."
--Slate

"The Verlaque and Bonnet mysteries . . . plunge you into a languid world of epicurean pleasures and good living."
--NPR

"Beguiling . . . Longworth evokes the pleasures of France in delicious detail--great wine, delicious meals, and fine company."
--Publishers Weekly

"Longworth's novels . . . are mysteries for foodies, with the plot providing a table upon which the enchanting meals and accompanying wines are served."
--Booklist

About the Author

M. L. Longworth has lived in Aix-en-Provence since 1997. She has written about the region for The Washington Post, The Times (London), The Independent (London), and Bon Appétit. She is the author of a bilingual collection of essays, Une Américaine en Provence, published by La Martinière in 2004. She is married and has one daughter.